Close to 20,000 refugees from CAR arrive in Cameroon

Nearly 20,000 refugees fleeing violence in the Central African Republic have arrived in Cameroon this month, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

The agency says the latest influx brings the total number of Central African refugees who have fled to Cameroon to more than 35,000.

UNHCR spokesperson in Geneva, Dan McNorton says his colleagues are currently in eastern Cameroon witnessing the arrival of 100 trucks carrying civilians from the Central African Republic.

"Since the beginning of February nearly 20, 000 Central African refugees have crossed into Cameroon to escape from violence perpetrated by the former Seleka and anti-Balaka militia in Bangui and other towns in north-western CAR. This is up from nearly 5,000 Central African refugees in the first week of this month."(24")

The UN refugee agency says the growing number of new arrivals and their needs for food and other basic necessities have resulted in higher prices of goods on the local market.

It notes that the new arrivals from the Central African Republic are living in appalling conditions without food and shelter.